GlobalSET

Since 2006 the International exercises organised by IARU Region 1 have concentrated on testing between countries using the emergency centre of activity frequencies defined in the band plans, and passing formal messages across language barriers. Some countries are very involved in emergencies but have not been able to take full part because of timing or their distance from other countries.

Following the Nepal Earthquake earlier this year, a new test is required to demonstrate that Amateur Radio is able to respond quickly to an emergency. GlobalSET 2015 will take place, but with a focus on our organisation rather than on how easily groups can set up field stations.

We announce that between 12-22nd December, the IARU Regional Emergency Communications Co-Ordinators will trigger a call out exercise in their region. The exact time will depend on the Regional co-ordinators and may not be a weekend as disasters can occur at any time.

We will use whatever means considered appropriate to ask the IARU Member Societies and Groups known to be active in emergency communications to contact their members and ask them how quickly they could get on air if required. There is a time limit of 24-48 hours to complete their local call out exercise and submit their results through a web form which will make the results far easier to produce than earlier years.

By using a web form it is hoped that any language barriers are removed as online translation tools can be used to convert this into their local language to make it easier to fill in. The web address will be given when the exercise starts and information will be gathered by each region separately.

No one is expected to get on air, so the exercise is independent of any HF propagation problems.

The aims of the exercise are;

To show that we can respond quickly and in a co-ordinated manner.To get groups and societies involved in an event without language, time or propagation barriers.To update our information about how many radio amateurs around the world are available for emergency communications showing our strength in the hobby.

Some countries have large ( >1500 member ) emergency communications groups, in these cases being able to demonstrate that a significant number of members would be available is a success.

More information will be circulated to National Emergency Communications Co-Ordinators soon.

IARU Region 1 invites the HQ-Stations of all IARU member societies and stations of Emergency Communications Groups to participate in a Global Simulated Emergency Test on

Sunday November 23th, 2014 11.00 – 15.00 Local Time

The operation will take place on and near the emergency Centre-of-Activity (CoA) frequencies on 80, 40, 20, 17 and 15 metres (+-QRM ).

This is a short notice event to test how well emergency communications groups can set up networks from home or temporary locations. Messages will be passed in both directions so please keep notes of who you can work as you may be asked to relay outgoing messages to their destination.

The timing of the event is different to allow stations the best chance of sending and receiving their messages and should still reduce any inter-region interference that may occur.

The objectives of the test are;

1. increase the common interest in emergency communications.2. test how usable the CoA frequencies are across ITU regions.3. create practices for international emergency communication and4. practice the relaying of messages using all modes.

So, please remember that this is not a contest, it is an emergency communications exercise to develop the skills we will need to provide an international emergency network.

Messages may be passed on voice (SSB), Data or CW modes as detailed below.

Voice mode

Each IARU Region will have a HQ station operating on voice as follows:

If your country does not have a National Co-Ordinator then please contact the regional co-ordinator via the details on the websites.

A list of participating stations is available at http://bit.ly/1sxaSkN. Participating stations should call 'CQ GLOBALSET' giving their callsign and organisation ( ARES,RAYNET, NETMAR etc. ).

Message Format

Each participating station will send messages to their Regional HQ station formatted using the IARU HF International Emergency Operating Procedure which can be seen at http://bit.ly/2rrbwW That page also has the message forms to be used for the exercise.

Stations should relay messages received towards the Regional HQ station.

To comply with licence regulations, all messages should be addressed to a licensed radio amateur taking part in the exercise.

Messages should be less than 25 words and must not include anything which would be considered as a 'real emergency' message by a listener.

For example;

* Weather report at the station location* Number of operators available* Interesting fact about the station

would all be acceptable messages.

There is no limit on the number of messages to be sent but each one must have a unique message number.To avoid QRMing the HQ stations, please move to frequencies near the CoA in steps of 5KHz for contacts with others.

To create a more realistic situation, please limit your transmitting power during the exercise to 100 Watts. We are especially interested in stations operating mobile/portable and/or on emergency power.

Data modes

Data stations must send the same format as used for voice messages. Each region will decide if their HQ stations will use data modes and what frequency they may be found on.

CW is included in this SET to increase the possibility of stations making contacts in difficult conditions and should be used when SSB or data contacts are proving impossible. Each region will decide if their HQ stations will use CW, CW stations should operate near the CoA frequencies when SSB traffic cannot be heard.

CW stations must send the same format as used for voice messages and not exceed 15wpm. If necessary CW messages can be relayed through two other stations before sending them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for analysis.

Conclusion

A log sheet for messages passed is provided at http://bit.ly/8ZyOTG so that analysis of the exercise will be easier. Stations are asked to submit logs of the messages relayed, not the messages themselves.

However please send your logs with comments, pictures and suggestions for future exercises to; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible after the SET so that information can be gathered for a report of the event as soon as the backlog has been cleared.

{jcomments off}The Rules for the Global Simulated Emergency Test of 13th and 20th April 2013 have been translated into other languages and will be available via links from this article as they are uploaded.

{jcomments off}A summary of known groups and stations taking part in the IARU Global Simulated Emergency Test (GlobalSET) to be held on 13th and 20th April 2013. Please check this website frequently for updates.